Torpedo loading band



May 31, 1960 D. c. GARLAND 2,938,484

TORPEDO LOADING BAND Filed Aug. 29, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 DAVID C. GARLAND INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS May 31, 1960 D. c. GARLAND TORPEIDO LOADING BAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 29, 1957 W0 C. GARLND ATT RNEYS TORPEDO LOADING BAND David C. Garland, Pine Grove Mills, Pa., assignor, by mesne assignments, to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed Aug. 29, 1957, Ser. No. 681,153 I 2 Claims. (Cl. 114-20) Thisinvention relates to torpedo hoisting mechanism and more particularly to a torpedo loading band adapted to be readily clamped about a torpedo and used in hoisting the torpedo during submarine loading operations and to be thereafter released and removed from the torpedo.

The invention particularly contemplates a structure that may be readily used to load torpedoes under the demanding hoisting conditions present in loading a torpedo into a submarine or removing it therefrom through the small loading hatches provided therefor.

Due to the fact that the forward and aft portions of a submarine are relatively small and that all loading hatches must be ofminimum circular size for practical reasons, torpedoes cannot be horizontally or vertically loaded into a submarine and must be disposed at a fixed acute angle to the loading hatch and in this position, slid for its entire length into the submarine. The accepted procedure is to place the torpedo by means of a hoist on a ramp disposed at the required angle and extending interiorly of the submarine through the loading hatch at least the length of the torpedo being loaded. After the torpedo has been placed on the ramp it is very carefully slid through the loading hatch and thereafter transferred to a storage area. Due to the extremely restricted area of the loading hatch and the length and configurationof the torpedo being loaded, onev of two methods may be, used. If the torpedo is a short and small one, such as for example one weighing 1000-1500 lbs. or has spacer elements projecting from its outer cylindrical surface it is placed on a loading tray especially designed to receive and retain the torpedo and the loading tray and torpedo is allowed to slide through the loading hatch by slacking I,

off on restraining lines connected to the loadingtray. Ifthe torpedo is of a larger diameter and length, suchas for example one 21 inches in diameter and weighing 4000 lbs. or, more, the loading vtray must be eliminated and the restraining lines attached to the torpedo. v

' It has heretofore been the practice to connect the re-, straining lines to a heavy metal. nose cap of a size less than the maximum diameter of the-torpedo and adapted to fit over the front surface of the torpedo. If the torpedo being loaded has a conventional warhead, a retainingelement is threaded into the exploder cavity to insure that the nose cap is maintained in position on the nose of the torpedo. Since the nose cap. and retaining element must be of substantial size and weight for safety reasons they are awkward and difficult to handle and the use thereof quite often results in damage to the exploder cavity and/or mechanism or hydrophones in the case of a self-guided torpedo. The procedure for removinga torpedo from a submarine must, as a matter of necessity, be the reverse of the procedure for loading it on the submarine. The loading and unloading of torpedoes from submarines requires extreme care due to the inherent nature of a torpedo and thefact that there is only about one and one-half inches clearance'between the torpedo and the loading hatch. 'For these reasons per: sonnelare frequently injured during loading operations 4 due to the inability to properly restrain the torpedo orthe torpedo is damaged by contact with the loading hatch 2,938,484 Patented May 31, .1960

such that it is rendered inoperative or unsatisfactory for its intended use. This is especially true for torpedoes containing complex and sensitive self-guidance systems.

It may now be obvious that the space provided for receiving torpedoes in a submarine is extremely limited, thereby giving rise to imposing problems and 'difliculties. As pointed out hereinabove the torpedo must first be placed in a sling and hoisted by means of a winch or the like and placed on the ramp. The design of a submarine and the size of the loading hatches, aswell as the weight andnature of torpedoes are factors that materially limit the space available for loading a torpedo on a submarine andmake it a difficult and hazardous operation. The absence of any material clearance between the torpedo and theloading hatch imposes serious limitations on the satisfactory attachment of the restraining lines to the r torpedo itself and has heretofore prevented the use of a structurally strong and universally operable band-adapted to encircle and grip the torpedo and provide one or more points of attachment, for restraining lines, hoisting lines and the like.

The present invention is directed to providing an improved narrow, bifurcated band of minimum thickness and maximum structural strength that is adapted to removably encircle and securely grip the outer periphery of a torpedo and provide. one or more points of attachment for securing lines to the torpedo when it is being loaded into or removed from a submarine. The invention overcomes the difiiculties heretofore experienced in sliding a torpedo through a submarine loading hatch and requires but a single structure to meet all the requirements of such an operation. g A further object of the invention is to provide a very simple and eflicient torpedo loading band of minimum thickness and maximum structural strength.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved loading band for torpedoes,

'Still another'object of the invention is the provision of aloading band for torpedoes for use in loading torpedoes'into submarines that allows simplification of prior loading procedures and provides an additional degree of safety and convenience to personnel involved in the loadingoperation.

Thesefandotherobje cts and features of the invention,

selected for purposes'of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 illustrates somewhat diagrammatically the manner in which. a torpedo must be loaded into a submarine through a loading hatch in the deck and shows theloading' band in positionfor such an operation.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the loading band.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view, partially in section, showing in detail the take-up means for drawing the band elements together.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary isometric view showing the details of the hinge construction.

As illustrated in the drawings, the torpedo loading band 10 includes two co-planar semi-circular bands 11-12 oppositely disposed to encircle a torpedo 13, hinge means 14 to pivotally connect two adjacent ends 15-16 of the bands 11-12, a plurality of inwardly projecting lugs 17 carried by the bands 1 1-42, an ear 18 integral ans-sass mice slightly less than that of the smallest torpedo with which they are to be used and are formed of relatively narrow strips of cold rolled steel or the like and of such thickness .such as for example, one fourth inch, as to renderithem. structurally strong and rigid such that they will not be deformed byforces exerted longitudinally or transversely to the bands 11-12. Provided on the inner surface 23-24- of each band are at least two inwardly projectinglugs 17,. preferably of triangular cross section, disposed and adapted to fit in the peripheral connecting bolt wells 25 at the junction of separable torpedo body shell portions shown by way of example in Figure 1. If desired, the lugs 17 may be slidably mounted on the band to provide for different torpedo constructions wherein the radial location of the connecting bolt wells 25 may vary. Fixedly attached to or integral with each band is an ear or U-shaped element 18 extending past one edge of the band and extending slightly in an outwardly direction to allow a hoisting line or snubbing line 62 to be easily connected thereo. bands 11-12 to be used on a torpedo to be loaded on a submarine the ears 18 should not extend outwardly more than about one inch from the outer surface of the loading band.

In order to insure maximum structural strength and thickness of the hinge 14 there is providedon the end portion of band 12 a solid steel block 26 having axial passages 33 formed in two ears 27-28 extending past the end of the band and forming a recess or slot 29 to freely receive a second block 31 integral with the end portion of the band 11 and having a passage 34 in axial alignmentwith the passages in the cars such that a pin 32 of substantial diameter may be passed through. the passages 33-34 whereby the bands 11-12 may pivot outwardly about the pin 32. I

Although other hinge arrangements will readily occur to those experienced in the art the hinge construction described hereinabove is considered superior and essential to provide a hinge for maximum structural strength and minimum thickness. p

Integral withthe extreme end portion of band 11 is a wall 35 extending outwardly in a radial direction and provided with an inwardly extending recess or slot 36 adapt- However, in order to allow the and in alignment with the recesses 36-51. When the block 41i s disposed'in its operative positienwnh "the socket 40 as shown in 'Figure 3. The threaded portion of the bolt 37 is preferably of such length that under all operating conditions the enlarged head portion 54 may be disposed rearwardly of the lips 52-53 and will extend at least in part past the-end portion of the socket 48, when placed in-the position shown-in solid lines in Figure 3. Howeverfit is essential" that the size and length. of the-- bolt'belimited such. that when the bolt 37 is advanced through the block 41 to its maximum forward position it will at all times lie within a radial distance from the bands ll-ll-notgreater than the radial length of the walls 35-49' whereby the clearance necesnecting .therear portion of the block 41 to the rear porsary for use of th'e'loa ding band'10 is maintained at a minimum and is determined by the radial thickness of the sockets 40-48;

, As the bolt is advanced on its threads through the block 41. the enlarged'hea'd portion-541m brought into locking engagement with thewall-49 and lips "52-53,

and the" block 41 is brought into locking-engagement with the wall 35 and .held against longitudinal or'transverse movement by the socket 40 and the pin 45 pivotally contion of the socket 48. As 'indicated'hereinabove the block 41-isii'pivotally carried in the socket 40; by a small pin 45'whereby' the-block maybe swung into and out of thesocket as shown in phantom in Figure, 3. For

- structural strengthit is essential that'atleast V u been threaded through the block 41 to'prevent separation theupper portion of the front surface of the block be inabutting relationship with the inner surface of the wall when the boltis disposed in its locking position.

..To facilitate tightening of the loading band 10 the headportion-54 of the bolt 37 may be provided with a projectionf57 adapted to receive a wrench, socket or the like and the oppositeend portion of the bolt-may be provided-with a radially extending cap 58 after it has of-the bolt 37 from the hand and possible loss'thereof.

Two triangularly shaped ribs 38-39. integral 'at their shorter sides respectively with the radially disposed edges 7 of the wall 35 and the longitudinal edges of the band provide reinforcement of the wall 35 and formfa general-v ly U-shaped socket 40 open on one side and having a substantially flat rectangular front surface formed bythe wall 35 and flat triangularly shaped side surfaces formed by the ribs 38-39. A triangularly shaped solid retaining block 41 having its shortest sides 42-43 disposedfor at least partial abutting relationship with the inner surface of wall 44 and the 'outer'surface ofthe band 11' is arranged and adapted for pivotal movement into and out of the socket 40 by means of a relatively smallpin passing through and carried by the oppositely .dis

The loading band is simpleand easy to use. For'loading'atorpedoon a submarine as shown by way of example- -in 'Fi gure 1,- 'the' loading band 10 may be attached to theforwardportion 59- of the torpedo prior to placing it on the ramp: 61 by opening theibands 11-12 to asufficient distance that the end iportions will'pass around the torpedo and then bringing the end portionstoglether such t-hafeach inw ardly projecting h1g1? is received by and fits "into a connecting'bolt' well,25 whereby the'in'ne'r sur-i faces. of the bands arein substantially.continuous abutting posed rear'portions of the ribs 38-39 and the rear portion of block 41 disposed therebetween. that the size of the pin 45 and its location in the ribs 38-39 and't-he block 41 need not be determined on the basis of structural strength and need only maintain the.

It is to be noted H while being @of a minimum size.- Because of the neces-' ed 'in the solid block 41 by means of'an internally thread-- V edpassage 56 lying in a plane tangential to-the band engagement with the outer'periphery of the torpedo. Th'ej bolt-arid blockare thenpivoted into theirtoperative positions as shown in solid-lines in Figure 3 ,s'uchjthat the threadedf'port'ion of the bolt 37 is disposed, in the recesses 36-51; I }The boltf'is theniadvancedon its threads until the bands and securely grip the torpedo and the enlarged head portion 5'4 and block 41 are in abut-ting and l'ocked relationship respectively with. the socket walls 49-35; 'Ityis' to'be not ed 'that the bot-r37 in its locke'df position provides an exceptionally strong connection hav ing' 'a-ra'dial dimention no greater than that of the oppositely disposed socket vwalls 35-49. After attachment of the loading bandltl tothe" torpedo 13, restraining 62or the like may be attached to the cars 18 and the torpedo placed on the ramp 61 and eased through the loading hatch 63 or,'in the case of removal of a torpedo, drawn through the. loading hatch by any convenient means. v a

It may now be' apparent that the unique construction of the take-up means asfidescribed and shown herein provides a simple construction having a structural strength" greater than other such devices -and as great or g'reater than the bands or hinge described herein sityof. a high deg ree of safety and the limitingfactors discussed hereinbeforemith regard to the loadingof a torpedo in a submarine, the high structural strength and the size of the take-up means (of the order of one inch) cannot be emphasized too strongly.

While the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiment, it is realized that modifications may be made and it is desired that it be understood that no limitations on the invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

Having now disclosed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A torpedo band assembly for raising and lowering torpedoes having circumtterentially disposed connecting bolt wells through submarine loading hatches having minimum clearance comprising: a substantially rigid first semi-circular band section having a first end portion and second end portion; a second substantially rigid semi-circular band section oppositely disposed to said first band section and having a third end portion and a fourth end portion, said first and second band sections being adapted for mating relationship with the outer cylindrical surface of a torpedo; hinge means connecting said first and third band end portions; inwardly projecting lugs carried by said band sections, said lugs being disposed and adapted to fit within said connecting bolt wells whereby said band sections may be in substantially continuous abutting relationship with said torpedo; first and second cable fittings respectively integral with and disposed intermediate the ends of said first and second hand sections, each said cable fitting being -disposed transversely of its band section and having a U-shaped portion extending past and slightly outward from its said band section; a take-up bolt having an enlarged head portion and an externally threaded end portion; a first radially extending wall integral with said band fourth end portion having an inwardly extending slot; first and second rearwardly extending ribs integral with said first Wall and said band end portion to form a first triangular socket for receiving and retaining said bolt and head portion; a second radially extending wall integral with said band second end portion, said second wall being oppositely disposed to said first wall and having an inwardly extending slot; third and fourth rearwardly extending ribs integral with said second wall and said band second end portion to form a second triangular socket; and a triangular retaining block carried in said second socket and disposed for pivotal movement toward and away from said second wall and having an internally threaded passage to receive said bolt threaded portion whereby said retaining block bears against said radially-extending wall when said bolt is in tension and said retaining block and said bolt may be pivoted into and out of said first and second sockets for drawing and holding said band sections about a torpedo.

2. A torpedo band assembly for use with torpedoes having circumferentially disposed connecting bolt wells comprising: rigid circumferential band sections adapted for mating relationship with the outer surface of a torpedo; hinge means carried at opposite ends of said band sections for pivotally connecting said band sections circumferentially about a torpedo; inwardly projecting lugs carried by said band sections, each said lug being adapted and disposed to fit within a connecting bolt well for maintaining said band sections in fixed and continuous abutting relationships 'with said torpedo; a cable fitting integral with at least one of said'band sections, said cable fitting having a first portion transversely afiixed to a band section and a U-shaped second portion integral with said first portion and extending past and slightly outward from said band section; and take-up means for drawing and holding said band sections about the topedo, said take-up means being comprised of a take-up bolt having an enlarged head portion integral with an externally threaded end portion, a first socket carried by one band section for receiving said bolt head portion, a second socket carried by another band section and oppositely disposed to said first socket for receiving the threaded portion of said take-up bolt, and a retaining block pivotally retained in said second socket and having an internally threaded passage to receive said threaded bolt portion whereby said retaining block bears against said second socket when said take-up bolt is in tension and said block and said bolt head portion may be brought into locking and abutting relationship respectively with said second socket and said first socket, said hinge, cable fitting, and take-up bolt each having such size and dimensions as to present when the band assembly is fully closed a radius not greater than that presented by the said sockets.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,311,957 Ferris Aug. 5, 1919 1,826,947 Nelson Oct. 13, 1931 2,826,119 Barrowman Mar. 11, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 557,582 France Aug. 11, 1923 

